April 16, 2024

Already There

November 3, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

From where I’m standing
Lord, it’s so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You’re leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are going to play out
In a world I can’t control

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory

‘Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

From where You’re standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture-perfect plan

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
I can’t wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived

Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Matthew West, John Mark Hall, Bernie Herms

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

This morning my mother-in-law, Martha, got up to tell my husband she was not feeling well.  She had been up since 2 a.m. with a headache and could not go to sleep.  You see, she had fallen on Saturday afternoon and bumped her head.  Nikki and I did not tell John, because Martha had asked us not to.  So I had to tell him what happened with her by my side and he fussed, but she quieted him down.  So off to the emergency room they went at 4:10 a.m.  Thank goodness they were able to get in and out quickly.  They performed a CT scan and she is fine.  They came back home, he went to work, she started preparing breakfast, and I left for work.  I am glad it was nothing.  But there are some things we need to work out still with her in the household. I should have told John so we could have taken her Saturday afternoon and had her checked out then.

As we get older and have to live with our children or in a facility for seniors, God is there to watch over us.  He knows what our future holds.  It is up to us how we are to live it.  Should we live in fear or in dread?  No, God is already there, waiting, preparing the way for us. All we have to do is seek His will for us with earnest intentions and know with confidence that God will work it all out for His glory.  Look at Paul…he knew from visions God had given him what was waiting for him in Jerusalem, and he still pursued the mission God had given him (Acts 20:17-38).  Paul knew what was most important.

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Father, help us develop the passion Paul had to serve You no matter what.  Help us to achieve and see joy and opportunity to do our best for you in all situations.  We have lost our way and do not see what we need to do any more.  Give us courage to tell others about You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , ,

Just Be Held

October 9, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
And when you’re tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the Cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let go

Casting Crowns
Songwriters: John Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, Matthew West

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

I talk to people about life on a regular basis, and most times those conversations revolve around the times when life is not so great.  Life gets overwhelming, it gets busy, it gets hard.  And we find ourselves in a place where we may not feel as strong as we would like.

I have heard the verse, “Be still and know that I am God”(Psalm 46:10) used time and time again.  But I have asked myself <and God>: “What are we are supposed to be doing while we are being still.”  This song answers that question—we are supposed to just be held.  We are supposed to let ourselves be wrapped in God’s love and find rest.  We are supposed to remind ourselves that we don’t have to keep trying to hold on. Like the song says, He is on the throne holding our lives together, and He will hold us.

I urge you to take comfort in these words….

Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place;
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held….  

Ladies, remember Who is holding you, remember Who sits on the throne.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Heavenly Father, we cannot hold our world alone…life gets too much to handle at times, but it is never too much for You to handle.  Thank You for holding us.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Who Am I?

August 9, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

 You hem me in behind and before,
and You lay Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Psalms 139:5 and 6

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever-wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

If We Are The Body

July 24, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

It’s crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the Body
Why aren’t His arms reaching
Why aren’t His hands healing
Why aren’t His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren’t His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way, there is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

Casting Crowns
Writers: Mark Hall, John Mark Hall

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27

I often wonder about this topic…. I wonder what my part is in the Body of Christ, and I know others wonder as well.  Knowing we are part of the Body is not the concern—instead I struggle at times to know my place.  We have a membership event at our church on Sunday; we have been going to this church for three years but have never ‘officially’ joined.  One requirement for joining this church is picking a ministry to work with. My question leading up to Sunday has been, “Where am I supposed to be? Where in the body of Christ can I glorify Him to the fullest?”

This song offers only two examples of hurting people.  There are so many more, so many that need support, and so many that need to be lifted up. We are His hands, we are His feet, we are His Body. Whatever capacity it may be in, this is how we need to approach the situation. I will continue to pray for direction when it comes to where I need to be…and I will also pray that you find your place if you haven’t.

There is so much work that needs to be done for the Kingdom of God,
and it is going to take each and every one of us to do it.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You give direction and guidance to all of those searching for a place in Your body.  There is so much to be done and, as You said in 1 Corinthians 12:27, each one of us are a part of it.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Thrive

June 1, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry

So living water flowing through
God, we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know You and to make You known
We lift Your name on high
Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
Its time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your word, we’re digging deep
To know our Father’s heart
Into the world, we’re reaching out
To show them who You are

Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable, anything is possible

Casting Crowns
Mark Hall, Matthew West

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water
that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalms 1:1-3 HCSB

With God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27 NKJ

This sounds funny but, a lot of times, God speaks to me in sound bites (think Bumblebee from Transformers).  There is some uncertainty in my life right now and “we were made to thrive” (not just the words but the actual lyric) has been popping into my mind repeatedly.  I started to wonder what it really means to thrive.

Often, ‘to thrive‘ is associated with prospering, or to prosper.  If you took a poll, most people would probably say that to ‘thrive‘ or to ‘prosper‘ means having all you need and more…being able to live comfortably and have all the extras too…blessed beyond measure.  As I read this commentary by David Guzik, I thought “what if ‘to thrive‘ isn’t just about material things but is also about digging in and maturing spiritually?”

“It isn’t that the righteous man has a “Midas Touch,” and everything he does makes him rich and comfortable. But in the life of the righteous man, God brings forth something good and wonderful out of everything. Even tough circumstances bring forth something that shall prosper.”

Mark Hall says this song  “…is an effort to draw a picture of what a believer, a follower of Jesus, would look like if they dug into their roots and understood God and themselves more.”  As I looked for Scriptures about thriving, I found most of the Old Testament Scriptures use ‘thrive‘ in the context of plants:

  • the smell of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.
    Job 14:9 HCSB
  • …may the people thrive like grass in a field.
    Psalm 72:16 NLT
  • The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like a cedar tree
    Psalm 92:12 HCSB
  • Planted in the house of the Lord, they thrive…
    Psalm 92:13 HCSB
  • They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.
    Isaiah 44:4 NLT
  • I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured and became very beautiful.
    Ezekiel 16:7 NKJ

In these verses, ‘thrive’ seems to be related to growth.  They speak to me of being firmly planted and deeply rooted, growing even in the hardest of times.  Enduring and beautiful.  Could it be that ‘thrive’ means to grow spiritually?  In his commentary on Psalm 1, Matthew Henry calls it “soul-prosperity.”

Is it possible that the rewards—the benefits—of thriving is “joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable, love unstoppable…?” Anything is possible.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Broken Together

April 12, 2015 by

Many of you have gone on Spring Break or are anticipating taking a vacation this summer.  It is a time to refresh spirit, soul, and body.  Over the next couple of weeks, our faithful bloggers will be taking a ‘spring break’ from writing so that they can come back to us refreshed and freshly anointed.

However, Girlfriends’ Coffee Hour website won’t ‘go black’!  We will be revisiting some of our favorite blogs and daily devotions which have blessed us in the past.  We pray that each of you, our faithful friends and readers, will continue to start your day meditating on the devotionals and songblogs, and be encouraged and blessed.

Let’s give each of our bloggers a big round of applause, a hug, and the rest they so deserve.  God bless you, ladies!

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

 

What do you think about when you look at me
I know we’re not the fairytale you dreamed we’d be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery

How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground we’ve drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night

It’s going to take much more than promises this time
Only God can change our minds

Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I’ll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we’ll last forever is broken together

How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms, chasing dreams and left love behind
I’m praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we won’t give up the fight

Casting Crowns
written by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

This song could be about a marriage that two went into with great but unrealistic expectations; and they realize that it really wasn’t what they expected.  And yes, it is a mystery because no one can see the real road ahead.  If you grew up in the times when our moms watched their “stories,” (television soap operas) you would really have a totally different idea of marriage, of sunset walks, and dancing around the room before you go to bed.  However, the real picture may actually look like the wife walking out the door and taking a walk by herself because she cannot remember what she saw or what she was thinking that day she said “I do.”

But God is the Inventor of marriage.  He knows that we are human and imperfect, as well as that two are better than one…no matter how hard the road.  Because one falls down and then the other picks them up.  We have someone that always has our best interest at heart.  And we have each other to lean on and laugh with and seek His will together.

What if we listened to this song and thought about our relationship with God? WE are His bride and He is our groom. We say ‘yes’ to this relationship and He lifts the veil between us and we are one.

Sometimes the walk is easy, fun, and exciting—full of good moments.  Other times are really hard, walking in a valley just waiting and waiting to finally see the mountaintop. But all along, He never leaves us.  Just like in a marriage, when the hard times come—we don’t walk out or call it quits.  We keep seeking Him and we still love Him and, like a husband, He always wants what is best for us.

When you are listening today, what are you thinking of, who comes to mind? Basically, we are broken and together we can all be broken together. God can and will heal what is broken and He can fulfill each one of us just by walking with us. And oh! how He loves us!  So today, if this hit home to you, I pray that God’s grace will wash over you like rain and that if you’re married and things aren’t what you thought, hold on and seek the One that can make all things new..and praise Him for all the miracles and blessings He has given you. And if God is your groom, take His hand and walk through life together.  Joy will be yours!

As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5

Your Maker is your husband; the Lord of host is His name.
Isaiah 54:5

I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you to Me
in righteousness, in justice, in steadfast love.
Hosea 2:19-20

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, You are our forever, today, and yesterday.  You have no beginning and no end.  Thank You for Your steadfast love and for rejoicing over us as a groom does over his bride.  Lord, You are our Groom and You are with us always.  Yes, we are broken but still you never leave us. And in marriage, You give us grace and mercy to live out our vows. You enable us to walk with this person and to have a good life together.  We love you so much!  We look forward to what is to come!!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Broken Together

January 25, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

What do you think about when you look at me
I know we’re not the fairytale you dreamed we’d be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery

How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground we’ve drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night

It’s going to take much more than promises this time
Only God can change our minds

Maybe you and I we’re never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I’ll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we’ll last forever is broken together

How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms, chasing dreams and left love behind
I’m praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we won’t give up the fight

Mark Hall and Bernie Herms along with Casting Crowns

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

This song could be about a marriage that two went into with great but unrealistic expectations; and they realize that it really wasn’t what they expected.  And yes, it is a mystery because no one can see the real road ahead.  If you grew up in the times when our moms watched their “stories,” (television soap operas) you would really have a totally different idea of marriage, of sunset walks, and dancing around the room before you go to bed.  However, the real picture may actually look like the wife walking out the door and taking a walk by herself because she cannot remember what she saw or what she was thinking that day she said “I do.”

But God is the inventor of marriage.  He knows that we are human and imperfect, as well as that two are better than one…no matter how hard the road.  Because one falls down and then the other picks them up.  We have someone that always has our best interest at heart.  And we have each other to lean on and laugh with and seek His will together.

What if we listened to this song and thought about our relationship with God? WE are His bride and He is our groom. We say ‘yes’ to this relationship and He lifts the veil between us and we are one.

Sometimes the walk is easy, fun, and exciting—full of good moments.  Other times are really hard, walking in a valley just waiting and waiting to finally see the mountaintop. But all along, He never leaves us.  Just like in a marriage, when the hard times come—we don’t walk out or call it quits.  We keep seeking Him and we still love Him and, like a husband, He always wants what is best for us.

When you are listening today, what are you thinking of, who comes to mind? Basically, we are broken and together we can all be broken together. God can and will heal what is broken and He can fulfill each one of us just by walking with us. And oh! how He loves us!  So today, if this hit home to you, I pray that God’s grace will wash over you like rain and that if you’re married and things aren’t what you thought, hold on and seek the One that can make all things new..and praise Him for all the miracles and blessings He has given you. And if God is your groom, take His hand and walk through life together.  Joy will be yours!

As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5

Your Maker is your husband; the Lord of host is His name.
Isaiah 54:5

I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you to Me
in righteousness, in justice, in steadfast love.
Hosea 2:19-20

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, You are our forever, today, and yesterday.  You have no beginning and no end.  Thank You for Your steadfast love and for rejoicing over us as a groom does over his bride.  Lord, You are our Groom and You are with us always.  Yes, we are broken but still you never leave us. And in marriage, You give us grace and mercy to live out our vows. You enable us to walk with this person and to have a good life together.  We love you so much!  We look forward to what is to come!!  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

December 17, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir they’re singing (Peace on Earth)
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing (Peace on Earth)
The life the angels singing (Peace on Earth)
Open up your heart and hear them (Peace on Earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, good will to men

Original hymn: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (lyrics) and John Calkin (music)
Casting Crowns version includes lyrics&music by Mark Hall, Bernie Herms, and Dale Oliver

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

In today’s day and age it can be easy to get discouraged with all the things we see around us.  We have to decide if we are going to focus on all the stuff surrounding us or CHOOSE to look at the good.

I love the lyric ‘Do you hear the bells they’re ringing’?  I think of this every time I walk out of the apartment where I live now.  When I go outside every so often I can hear the faint sound of church bells ringing from the church close to where I live.  In today’s world with all the evil around us it would seem that you have to intentionally listen for the still, small voice of God in the midst of it.  This does not mean that God has stopped working.  He is still there.  He is a gentlemen.  It is up to us to be looking for Him.  Are we listening?

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.
John 5:17 NLT

The key to peace in this world is the peace that can only be found in Him.  Jesus said…

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NLT

   *    ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Heavenly Father, thank You that You never stop working and that no matter what is happening in our personal lives or in the world around us Your good plan will always prevail.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Christmas Offering

December 10, 2014 by

phssChristmasgraphic2014

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three wisemen seeking truth
They traveled from afar
Hoping to find the Child from Heaven
Falling on their knees
They bow before the humble Prince of peace

We bring an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus, may You receive the honor that You’re due
O Lord, I bring an offering to You

The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love
There is no shadow in Your Presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne
Before the Holy One of Heaven,
It’s only by Your blood
It’s only through Your mercy, Lord, I come

We bring an offering to You
We are an offering to You
An offering of praise we sing
An offering to You
We are an offering to You, Jesus
An offering of praise we sing
An offering to You
We are an offering, oh Lord
We are an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus, may You receive the honor that You’re due
O Lord, we bring an offering to You

Written by Paul Baloche ~ Performed by Mark Hall & Casting Crowns

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

When we make an offering or a sacrifice to God we are showing our love for Him…our thankfulness for all He has done and continues to do. The definition of sacrifice is ‘…an act of offering to a deity; something precious’.

Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us
and gave Himself up for us
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NIV

I am overwhelmed with gratitude when I truly stop and think about the sacrifice that God made when He sent His only Son to save the world from sin!  We are so undeserving…and yet He loves us so!

Is there something in your life you need to sacrifice as an offering to God?
“Ask God to help you move from smelling the odor of waste to the bouquet of grace.”
– Pastor Rick Warren

God took my life of waste and turned into a bouquet of grace.  The very least we can do is give our King the offering of something precious to show our gratitude for all He has done; and stand in the awe and presence of His Glory and Majesty.  If God does nothing else for me for the rest of my life, the fact that I have been saved from my life of waste is enough.

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Proverbs 15:24 KJV

What will you be sacrificing or offering this Christmas season?

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Heavenly Father, may You receive the honor that You’re due
Oh Lord, I bring my offering to You.
AMEN

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Life Of Praise

November 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I will love You, Lord, always
Not just for the things You’ve done for me
And I will praise You all my days
Not just for the change You’ve made in me

I’ll praise you for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more
For You are awesome, God of the Nations,
Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages, Alpha, Omega
You’re worthy of all praise
More that these hands I’ll raise
I’ll live a life of praise

I will serve You, Lord, always
For You are my strength
When I am weak
I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me

But I’ll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I’ll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more

 Singer/Songwriter: Mark Hall along with Casting Crowns

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Psalms 95:2-3

When I am weak and weary, all I need to do is put on a song of praise…it instantly gets my heart and my thoughts on the goodness of Jesus.  I have heard it said that ‘a heart full of gratitude begins when my sense of entitlement ends*’.  Even in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances we have so much to be thankful for!

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people
may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:15-16

It is in the hard stuff that we are renewed and strengthened day by day. God is our Strength when we are weary.

The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Psalm 28:7

When I think of strength and being strengthened I think of a mighty oak tree. May this poem about the mighty oak tree encourage you this day… I know it blessed me!

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing, Oak?
The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You’ll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn’t sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you
I’m stronger than I ever knew

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, I thank You that when we are weak You are strong.  And that no matter what we are enduring we KNOW You are faithful!  In Jesus’ Name!!  Amen!!!

* quote from Steven Furtick

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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